What is Coefficient of Performance?
The Coefficient of Performance (COP), is an older standard used prior to HSPF to measure the efficiency of heating systems. By definition, all electric resistance space heaters have a COP rating of 1. A unit with a rating of 3 means that the unit is three times more energy-efficient than electric resistance heating (generally considered the most expensive method of heating). Will the Fuel I Use Make a Difference in My Energy Costs? Yes, so check with your local utility before replacing an existing system. Many utilities have a department dedicated to conservation. They can advise you not only on the types of fuel available in your particular location, but also on new technologies that make the most of the fuels available to you. Keep in mind that fuels are measured and sold in different units such as gallons of oil, therms of natural gas, or kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, so comparing the price of dissimilar units is not useful. A more useful comparison is the fuel cost per amoun
